Spanish Colonial Recommendations - For all ages

BOOKS for ADULTS

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Latin American Art: Ancient to Modern.

by Scott, John F.
University of Florida Press, 1999

Latin American Art focuses on the art produced by the cultures living from Mexico to South America from earliest times to the 20th century. Chapter 5 is devoted to Colonial art of the Viceroyalties showing the impact Spain had on the new world and the blending of cultures that was reflected in art and architecture.

Mexico: Splendors of Thirty Centuries

by Introduction by Octavio Paz
Bulfinch Press, 1990

Published in conjunction with an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art this discusses the arts in Mexico from Precolumbian to the Twentieth century. A large section of the book discusses the Viceregal period of the integration of Spanish culture with the Indian cultures that pre-existed there.

Mission: The History and Architecture of the Missions of North

by Roger G. Kennedy
Houghton Mifflin, 1993

Discusses the historical and religious context of the mission building in the New World as well as the people, both Spaniard and Indian who participated. Many pictures of the architectural styles used.

Splendors of the New World : Spanish Colonial Masterworks from the Viceroyalty of Peru

by Charles L. Mo
Mint Museum of Art, 1992

Catalogue issued in connection with the exhibition held at the Mint Museum. Describes the art of the Spanish colonial period and the development of sculpture, silverwork, furniture and gold and silver coinage from the mid-16th century into the early 19th century. Emphasis given to the Cuzco School of painting highlighted in the exhibit.

Vanishing Art of the Americas

by Pal Keleman
Walker and Company, 1977

Dr. Keleman made several trips through Latin America and recorded the architecture, art, textiles and culture he found there. The profound effect that Spanish culture and religion had on the New World is discussed.

KIDS BOOKS

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Peru

by Marion Morris
Children's Press, 2000

This book describes the geography, history, and culture of Peru. There is a section in the book that talks about the Cuzco School of painters.

The Art of Mexico

by Shirley Glubok
1968

Explore the cultures and traditions and art of the Aztec, Mixtec, Toltec, Olmec and Zapotec people of ancient Mexico.

The Princess and the Painter

by Jane Johnson
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 1994

A fictionalized account of the events of the day in 1656 that the Spanish princess Margarita first saw the painting of herself by Diego Velasquez.

Welcome to Peru

by Dora Yip
Gareth Stevens Publications, 2002

A very simple introduction to Peru, great for younger children. Highlights the art of the Cuzco School.

MULTIMEDIA

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Kingdoms of the Sun Masterworks of Ancient Andean and Spanish Colonial Art

by Charles L. Mo
Mint Museum of Art, 1995

Produced in conjunction with a past Mint Museum’s exhibit, this title investigate the arts of the Andean cultures which flourished prior to the European explorers and the arts which resulted as Spain colonized South America. [CD-ROM]

WEBSITES

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Corridos Sin Fronteras
http://www.corridos.org/

This bilingual site teaches the history of Mexico through narrative songs known as corridos and it supports a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit of the same name.

Mesoamerican Ballgame
http://www.ballgame.org/

Designed by the Mint Musuems to support a traveling exhibit, this engaging site introduces children to the cultures of ancient Mexico and this first organized ballgame.